The Environmental Factor in the Emergence of the Second Human Civilization
Selections from the Book Prophet Hud (peace be upon him) And the Causes for the Demise of the Civilization of the People of Aad…
Written by Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi...
Episode (05)
Allah arranged the matters of the new environment for Noah (peace be upon him), and we can infer this from Allah's statement: {And it was said, "O earth, swallow your water, and O sky, withhold [your rain]." And the water subsided, and the matter was accomplished, and it [i.e., the ship] came to rest on the [mountain of] Judiyy. And it was said, "Away with the wrongdoing people."} [Hud: 44]. The environment refers to everything that surrounds a person and with which they interact in reciprocal relationships.
In the Quranic sense, the environment is: the earth with its components and what is in its atmosphere, as Allah Almighty says: {And He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth - all from Him. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.} [Al-Jathiyah: 13]. Among the components of the environment that contributed to the emergence of the second human civilization are the sky, the earth, water, air, plants, animals, and others. These have been and continue to be made subservient to humanity.
The components in their natural state, as created by Allah, are pure, clean, blessed, and ready to respond to the call of civilization. The environment in which Noah (peace be upon him) and his followers lived after the flood helped them to reflect and ponder. It was a sign of the oneness of Allah and His attributes of perfection, and it was made subservient in all its aspects by Allah to serve humanity, manage their means of livelihood, and ensure their well-being and safety. The creatures in this environment were subdued for humanity. Glory be to Him who said: {It is He who made the earth tame for you - so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision - and to Him is the resurrection.} [Al-Mulk: 15]. And He said: {And We have certainly established you upon the earth and made for you therein ways of livelihood. Little are you grateful.} [Al-A'raf: 10].
Noah (peace be upon him) and those with him paused to reflect, search, and used their intellect and abilities to benefit from the components of the environment, reaping the fruits of subjugating them. Noah (peace be upon him) carried out his mission of populating and stewarding the earth after Allah granted him intellect and heavenly guidance. The stewardship of the earth involves planting, building, and all forms of balanced, positive interaction with its components, utilizing and innovating.
Noah (peace be upon him) called for reflection and contemplation on the components of the environment in which he lived, as Allah Almighty says: {Do you not consider how Allah has created seven heavens in layers (15) And made the moon therein a [reflected] light and made the sun a burning lamp? (16) And Allah has caused you to grow from the earth a [progressive] growth. (17) Then He will return you into it and extract you [another] extraction. (18) And Allah has made for you the earth an expanse (19) That you may follow therein roads of passage.'" (20)} [Nuh: 15-20].
Noah’s (peace be upon him) relationship with the environment was based on love and appreciation, for he knew that from worship comes the development of the earth and the benefit from the components of the environment that Allah had subjugated for humanity. He and those with him, along with the components of the environment, share in glorifying and praising Allah, and in fulfilling the task entrusted to them, which is based on the laws and principles that Allah clarified to His prophets and messengers and mentioned in His final book, the Holy Quran.
Noah (peace be upon him) is considered a friend of the environment because he contributed to purifying it from the filth of disbelief and oppression, through his blessed prayers. He preserved its creatures, taking with him pairs of every kind, thus preserving the animals, birds, and plants from the great flood.
- Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi, Prophet Hud (peace be upon him) And the Causes for the Demise of the Civilization of the People of Aad, pp. 138-140.
- Protecting the Natural Environment, Safaa Moza, Dar Al-Nawader, Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait, First Edition, 1431 AH - 2010 AD, p. 26.
For further information and review of the sources for the article, see:
The Book of Prophet Hud (peace be upon him) And the Causes for the Demise of the Civilization of the People of Aad on the official website of Sheikh Dr. Ali Muhammad al-Sallabi:
